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PROCEEDINGS 


31st  Annual  Meetin 


January  10,  1883. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C.  : 

K.  O.  POLKINHORN,  PRINTER. 

1883. 


/ 


PROCE  EDI  NG  S 


THIRTY-FIRST  ANNUAL  MEETING 


United  +  States  +  Agricultural  +  Society. 


The  United  States  Agricultural  Society  held  its  thirty -first  annual 
meeting  on  Wednesday,  the  lOtli  of  January,  1883,  at  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  by  invitation  of  Commissioner  LoRiNG. 

lion.  John  A.  Kixg,  of  New  York,  the  President  of  the  Society, 
called  the  meeting  to  order  and  took  the  chair. 

Major  Ben  :  Perley  Poore,  of  Massachusetts,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Society,  read  the  journal  of  the  thirtietli  annual  meeting,  which  was 
approved. 

Dr.  William  M.  French,  of  New  Hampshire,  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Society,  presented  his  accounts  for  the  past  year,  which  were  ap- 
proved. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Harris,  of  Mississippi,  seconded  by  Col.  Notley, 

of  Missouri,  it  was — 

Resolved,  That  wlien  this  meeting  adjoiiru,  it  adjourns  to  meet  here  on  Wed- 
nesdaJ^  the  24th  inst.;  that  tlie  President  be  requested  to  postpone  the  delivery 
of  his  annual  address  until  then,  and  that  Commissioner  Loring  be  requested  to 
invite  the  delegates  to  the  agricultural  convention,  which  will  then  be  in  session, 
to  attend  the  meeting. 

On  motion  of  Allen  Dodge,  of  Maryland,  seconded  by  James  H. 
NoYES,  of  Maine,  the  Sjciety  then  proceeded  to  the  election  of  offi- 
cers for  the  ensuing  year,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were  declared 
elected : 


OFFICERS   FOR   1883-'84. 

pkesident: 
JOHN  A.  KING,  of  New  York. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS : 


Alnhama Thomas  Williams, 

California John  Bidwell, 

Colorado Roger  W.  Woodbury, 

Connecticut H.  H.  Hyde, 

Dakota John  Pattee, 

Delaware John  Johns, 

Dist.  of  Col W.  W.  Corcoran, 

Florida George  F.  Drew, 

Georgia Alex.  H.  Stephens, 

Illinois John  Wentworth, 

Indiana Claude  Matthews, 

Iowa S.  A.  Knapp, 

Kansas F.  T.  Baker, 

Kentucky CM.  Clay, 

Louisiana J.  Floyd  King, 

Maine J.  R.  Bard  well, 

Maryland Ezra  Whitman, 

Massachusetts . .  .George  B.  Loring, 

Michigan James  H.  McGowan, 

Minnesota C.  W.  Thompson, 

Mississippi James  L,  Alcorn, 

Missouri C.  C.  Swallow, 


Nebraska D.  H.  Wheeler, 

Nevada John  P.  Jones, 

New  Hampshire.  JOB'S  B.  Clarke, 

New  Jersey E.  W.  P.  Lewis, 

New  York J.  W.  Wadsworth, 

New  Mexico W.  F.  M.  Arny, 

North  CaroUna  .Robert  B.  Vance, 

Ohio W.  I.  Chamberlain, 

Oregon S.  G.  Reed, 

Pennsylvania  .  .  .David  Taggard, 
Rhode  Island. .  ..Q^o.  F.  Fearing, 
South  Carolina  .D.  Wyatt  Aiken, 

Tennessee R.  Hofpaim, 

Texas Ashbel  Smith, 

Utah George  Q.  Cannon, 

Vermont John  B.  Mead, 

Virginia Josiah  E.  Ware. 

Washington Thomas  H.  Brentz, 

Wisconsin Chester  Hazen, 

West  Virginia. .  .Henry  M.  Matthews 
Wyoming George  Graham. 


Executive  Committee: 
Fred'k  Smyth,  of  New  Hampshire,  Chairman. 
T.  J.  Edge,  Harrisbiirg,  Pa.;  Robert  Beverly,  of  Virginia; 

William  S.  King,  of  Minnesota;  N.  M,  Cuktis,  of  New  York; 

B.  W.  Seiler,  of  Pennsylvania,  W.  T.  Hamilton,  of  Maryland. 


Ex-officio  Members: 


John  a.  King,  of  New  York; 


Ben:  Peiiley  Poore,  of  Massachusetts. 


secretary: 

Ben  :  Perley  Poore,  of  Massachusetts, 

(Office:  Ebbitt  House,  Washington.) 

treasurer: 

William  M.  French,  of  New  Hampshire, 

(Office:  1810  Fourteenth  street,  Washington.) 


On  motion  of  Mr.  Whitney,  of  New  York,  seconded  by  Mr.  Tal- 
bot, of  West  Virginia,  it  was — 

Resolved,  unanimously.  That  the  officers  and  members  of  the  United  States  Agri- 
cultural Society,  asseml)led  at  its  Thirty  first  annual  meeting,  tender  their  sincere 
congratuhitions  to  its  Founder,  the  Honorable  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  ot  Massa- 
chusetts, with  their  wishes  that  his  health  may  be  spared  for  many  years  to  come. 

On  motion  of  Col.  James  Buckley,  of  Kentucky,  seconded  by  Dr. 

Hammond,  of  North  Carolina,  it  was — 


J^esohed,  That  tlic  ofiicers  of  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society  take  such 
taeasures  as  they  may  deem  expedient  to  revive  its  usefulness  (interrupted  by 
the  late  civil  war),  and  that  they  invite  the  co-operation  of  State,  County,  and  lo- 
teal  organizations  for  the  advancement  of  agriculture, 

Jiesohed,  That  the  ofticcrsofthe  United  States  Agricultural  Society  be  and  they 
are  hereby  authorized  lo  make  arrangements  for  a  National  Exhibition  in  1884, 
should  they  deem  it  expedient. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  French,  the  Society  adjourned  until  the  24th, 

inst. 


The  adjourned  meeting  of  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society 
was  held  at  the  Department  of  Ayricidtwit.  on  the  2-itli  of  January, 
1883.  President  King  presided,  while  Secretary  Poore  and  Treasurer 
French  attended  to  their  respective  duties. 

Hon.  George  B.  Loring,  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  having  in- 
troduced Hon.  John  A.  King,  President  of  the  United  States  Agri- 
cultural Society,  to  the  delegates  assembled  in  convention^  that  gen- 
tleman proceeded  to  deliver  his 

ANNUAL    ADDRESS. 

•Gentlemen  of  the  Agrkullural  Society: 

Owing  to  the  inclemencj^  of  the  weather,  from  a  sudden  and  deep  fall  of  snow, 
it  seemed  impossible  for  many  to  come  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  United  States 
Agricultural  Society^  which  was  held  on  the  10th  of  Januarys  and^  therefore,  after 
the  election  of  ofR'cers  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  the  passsige  of  a  resolution  of 
l^leasure  at  the  continued  health  and  activity  of  out-  chief  founder,  the  Honorable 
Marshall  P.  Wilder,  it  was  proposed  to  adjourn  until  the  34th  instant^  upon  which 
inorning  the  Honorable  George  B.  Loring,  the  United  States  Commissioner  of  Ag- 
riculture, and  long  teonnected  with  this  Society,  had  placed  at  our  disposition  the 
Spacious  room  in  his  Department  building.  It  was  hoped  that  there  might  then 
be  a  more  numerous  gathering  of  life  members;  and,  added  to  them,  the  presence 
of  many  of  the  leading  agriculturists  from  different  sections  of  the  Union.  These 
latter  were  to  convene  at  the  Department  on  the  23d  of  January,  in  response  to  an 
invitation  fronl  the  Commissioner,  to  discuss  various  topics  touching  upon  agri- 
■culture,  and  the  collegiate  institutions  which  were  giving  instruction  upon  that 
•subject.  The  continuance  of  inordinate  wintry  weather,  it  is  feared,  may  now 
prevent  many  of  tlie  life  members,  generally  well  advanced  in  years,  when  five 
and  twenty  and  thirty  years  since  they  joined  the  Society,  from  being  with  us. 
They  are  not  now  in  condition  to  leave  their  comfortable  firesides  and  undergo 
the  unusual  hardships  of  a  journey  hither.  Only  two  new  life  members  have 
been  inscribed  since  1861;  and  while  several  of  those  on  the  roll  have  sent  their 
best  wishes,  their  personal  attendance  must  be  excused. 


As  the  United  States  Society  had  not  been  in  active  work  for  a  period  of  yeafs, 
although  several  efforts  had  been  made  to  that  end,  it  was  deemed  proper  that  the 
address  prepared  for  the  annual  meeting  should  be  read  at  this  adjourned  meet- 
ing, giving  an  outline  of  the  history  of  the  Society  as  to  its  origin,  progress  in  the 
past,  and  asking  for  consideration  as  to  its  future. 

Remembering  that  Mr.  Ben:  Perley  Poore,  formerly  an  active  member  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  was,  not  only  now,  our  able  and  energetic  Secretary,  but 
had  been  such  for  more  than  twenty  years,  and  during  a  portion  of  the  vigorous 
working  days,  and  that  he  was  therefore  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  transac- 
tions in  the  past,  more  so  than  1  could  possibly  be  after  much  research,  I  asked 
from  him  a  sketch,  which  he  has  kindlj^  furnished,  and  in  language  so  lucid  and 
fitting  that  I  shall  read  it,  as  it  came  from  him,  for  your  information.  It  is  as  fol- 
lows; 

"The  seed  from  which  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society  sprung  was 
planted  upwards  of  forty  j^ears  since.  In  1841  a  convention  of  agriculturists,  anx- 
ious '  to  elevate  the  character  and  standing  of  the  cultivation  of  the  American 
soil, '  was  held  at  Washington  to  organize  a  national  agricultural  society  with  the 
fund  which  had  been  bequeathed  by  Hugh  Smithsou  for  its  support.  The  establish- 
ment of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  prevented  the  realization  of  the  hopes  of  those 
who  had  desired  to  make  this  endowment  practically  useful,  and  the  national  so- 
ciety remained  dormant  until  1851,  when  a  convention  was  called  to  meet  at 
Washington  by  the  Massachusetts  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Pennsylvania  State 
Agricultural  Society,  Marjdand  State  Agricultural  Society,  New  York  State  Ag- 
ricultural Society,  Southern  Central  Agricultural  Society,  Ohio  State  Board  of  Ag- 
riculture, American  Institute  (Npw  York),  Massachusetts  Society  for  the  promo- 
tion of  Agriculture,  Indiana  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  New  Hampshire  Agri- 
cultural Society,  Vermont  Agricultural  Society,  and  the  Rhode  Island  Society  for 
the  Encouragement  of  American  Industry, 

"  At  this  national  convention,  held  at  Washington  on  the  14th  of  June,  1851, 
there  were  present  one  hundred  and  fifty-two  delegates,  representing  twenty-three 
States  and  territories,  and  the  United  States  Agricultural  Societj^  was  organized. 
The  high  standing  of  the  delegates  may  be  inferred  from  the  following  list  of  the 
committee  which  drafted  the  Constitution:  the  committee  was  Messrs.  Holcomb, 
of  Delaware;  Douglas,  of  Illinois;  J.  A.  Kmg,  of  New  York;  Steele,  of  New 
Hampshire;  Thurston,  of  Rhode  Island;  Hubbard,  of  Connecticut;  Stevens,  of 
Vermont;  Elwyn,  of  Pennsylvania;  Calvert,  of  Maryland;  Campbell,  of  Ohio; 
Hancock,  of  New  Jersey;  Callan,  of  the  District  of  Ccxlumbia;  G,  W.  P.  Custis, 
of  Virginia;  Burgwyn,  of  North  Carolina;  Taylor,  of  Alabama;  De  Bow,  of  Louis- 
iana; Spencer,  of  Indiana;  Mallory,  of  Kentucky;  Bell,  of  Tennessee;  Weston,  of 
Wisconsin;  McLane,  of  California;  Pickhard,  of  Maine;  Dawson,  of  Georgia-. 
French,  of  Massachusetts,  and  Seaman,  of  Michigan. 

•'The  objects  of  the  Society,  as  declared  by  the  preamble  to  its  Constitution,  are 
to  '  improve  the  agriculture  of  the  country  by  attracting  attention,  eliciting  the 
views,  and  confirming  the  efforts  of  that  great  class  composing  the  agricultural 
community,  and  to  secure  the  adA-antages  of  a  better  organization  and  more  ex- 
tended usefulness  among  all  State,  countj'.  and  other  agricultural  societies.' 

"Soon  after  the  formation  of  the  Society,  Congress  was  asked  to  grant  it  a  char- 
ter, but  objection  was  made   on   the   ground  that  it  W(nild  be  unconstitutional  to 


incoi'poratc  citizens  of  diflbrcnt  Stiites.  The  tliflieulty  Was  finally  solved  by  se- 
lecting as  corporators  members  of  the  Society  who  were  owners  of  real  estate  \n 
the  District  of  Columbia.  Accordingly,  William  W.  Corcoran,  Benjamin  B. 
French,  Benjamin  Ogle  Tayloe,  Ben;  Perlej'  Poore,  and  John  A.  Smith  and  theii' 
associates  were  made,  declared,  and  constituted  a  corijoration  and  body  politic 
■within  and  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  law  and  in  fact,  tf)  liave  contiiuiancc 
forever,  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society,  and  by 
such  corporate  name,  style,  and  title  shall  be  hereafter  ever  able  and  capable,  in 
law  and  equity,  to  sue  and  be  sued,  &c.  This  charter  has  been  carefully  pre- 
served, and  forms  a  ralh'ing  point  around  which  the  agriculturists  of  the  United 
States  can  unite,  for  immediate  concerted  action,  with  the  recognition  of  the  gen- 
eral Government. 

"It  was  fortunate  for  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society  that  it  had  as  its' 
first  President  the  Hon.  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  of  Massachusetts,  who  had  been 
largely  instrumental  in  founding  it,  and  whose  rare  executive  abilities  secured  its 
immediate  prosperity.  The  annual  meetings  which  it  held  in  th's  city  until  the 
commencement  of  the  civil  war  were  a  realization  of  the  National  Board  of  Agri- 
culture, recommended  by  George  Washing'ton,  the  farmer  of  Mount  Vernon, 
Gentlemen  from  almost  every  State  in  the  Union  (many  of  them  delegates  from 
agricultural  associations)  were  annually  as&erabled  to  discuss  such  topics  as  were 
calculated  to  advance  the  cause  of  agricultural  improvement;  interesting  and  val- 
uable lectures  were  delivered  by  practical  and  scientific  farmers;  reports  were  sub- 
mitted by  committees  especially  appointed  to  examine  new  inventions  and  theo- 
ries, and  by  delegates  who  had  been  accredited  to  the  agriculturists  of  other  lands; 
and  there  was  a  general  interchange  of  opinion.  '  The  great  practical  truth  and 
characteristic  of  the  present  generation,'  said  Daniel  Webster,  the  farmer  of 
Marshfield,  "  is,  that  public  improvements  are  bi'ought  about  by  voluntarj^  asso 
elation  and  combination.  The  principle  of  association — the  practice  of  bringing 
men  together  for  the  same  general  object,  pursuing  the  same  general  end,  and 
uniting  their  intellectual  and  physical  efforts  to  that  purpose — is  a  great  improve- 
ment in  our  age.  And  the  reason  is  obvicms.  Here  nun  meet  together  that  they 
may  converse  with  one  another,  that  they  may  compare  with  each  other  their  ex- 
perience, and  thus  keep  up  a  constant  communication.  In  this  practical  point  of 
view,  these  agricultural  associations  are  of  great  importance.  Conversation,  in- 
tercourse with  other  minds,  is  the  general  scmrce  of  knowledge.  Books  do  some- 
thing. But  it  is  conversation,  it  is  the  meeting  of  men  face  to  face  and  talking 
over  what  they  have  in  common  interest,  it  is  this  intercourse  that  makes  men 
sharp,,  intelligent,  ready  to  communicate  to  others,  and  ready  to. receive  instruc- 
ion  from  them.' 

"National  exhibitions  and  field-trials  were  held  by  the  United  States  Agricul- 
tural Society  at  Springfield,  Mass. ;  Springfield,  Ohio ;  Boston,  Mass. ;  Philadel-' 
delphia,  Penn. ;  Syracuse,  N,  Y. ;  Louisville,  Kentucky  ;  Richmond,  Va. ;  Chicago, 
111.;  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  These  national  exhibitions  were  self-sustaining,  the 
receipts  meeting  the  disbusements  of  upwards  of  $100,000,  for  premiums  and  ex- 
penses ;  and  they  not  only  increased  the  efficiency  of  State,  county  and  local 
associations,  but  called  together  larger  assemblages  of  the  people  than  convened 
upon  other  occasions,  embracing  not  only  our  most  intelligent  yeomanry,  but 
gentlemen  of  every  art  and  profession,  from  every  portion  of  the  widespread 
Union  evincing  that  the  national  pulse  beats  in  unison  with  agriculture,  and  that 


8 

the  public  voice  was  I'esponsive  to  the  call.  At  the  haiiquets  \vith  which  these 
national  jubilees  were  concluded,  eminent  gentlemen  met  upon  the  board  platform 
of  good  citizenship,  merging  all  sectional  jealousies  and  party  distinctions  in  a 
general  desire  to  improve  and  elevate  that  great  calling  which  gives  independence 
and  strength  to  our  nation.  Such  men  as  Daniel  Webster,  Edward  Everett, 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  John  C.  Crittenden,  Henry  A.  Wise  and  Caleb  dishing 
spoke  at  these  banquets,  with  the  leading  farmers  and  planters  of  the  United  States 
and  Canada. 

"The  Quarterly  Journal  of  Agriculture,  published  by  the  tJnited  States  Agricul- 
tural Society,  during  the  five  years  preceding  the  war,  contained  feports  of  the 
annual  meetings,  exhibitions,  and  operations  of  the  society,  with  a  general  state- 
ment of  the  position  of  agricultural  affairs  at  the  metropolis  and  reports  of  the 
operation  of  State  boards  and  societies,  agricultural  colleges,  and  of  all  legislative 
1-ecognition  of  the  predominant  interest  of  the  country.  The  bound  volumes  of 
this  Quarterly  Journal  of  Agriculture  ai*e  now  in  great  demand,  as  they  contain 
a  great  amount  of  Valuable  information  not  othervpise  accessible. 

"  The  United  States  Agricultural  Society,  also  had  at  Washington  a  secretary's 
office  and  reading-room,  where  the  members  of  the  society  and  others  interested 
in  agricultural  improvement  could  meet  as  brothers  at  a  common  home,  and  find 
a  collection  of  objects  in  which  they  have  a  common  interest.  Many  state  and 
county  societies  contributed  their  published  transactions)  premium-lists,  the  names 
of  their  officers,  and  other  information,  which  were  registered,  and  they  received 
the  publications  of  the  society  in  return.  A  majority  of  the  agricultural  and  nu- 
merous other  publishers  contributed  their  periodicals  and  newspapero,  and  thus 
aided  in  forming  a  free  agricultural  reading-room  at  the  national  metr  polls. 

"  The  establishment  of  a  Department  of  Agriculture  was  urged  at  every  annual 
meeting  of  the  Society  until  the  desirable  result  was  attained,  and  it  was  then  re- 
lieved of  many  of  its  self-imposed  duties.  The  preparations  made  by  the  Society 
for  a  national  exhibition  at  Washington  in  18(31,  which  could  not  be  held,  ex- 
hausted the  small  balance  in  the  Society's  treasury  at  that  time.  The  Soeietj^  has 
not,  however,  a  dollar  of  indebtedness.  Upwafd  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thous- 
and dollars  were  received  and  disbursed  by  it  between  1852  and  1862,  and  of  this 
the  highest  sum  ever  received  by  any  one  of  its  officers,  in  a  year,  was  8600,  which 
barely  defrayed  his  personal  expenses  while  attending  to  the  business  of  the  So- 
ciety. 

"  During  the  war,  the  officers  and  members  of  the  United  States  Agricultural 
Society  were  estranged.  Some  wore  blue  uniforms  and  some  gray,  and  many 
Were  conspicuous  on  hard-fought  fields  or  languished  in  military  prisons.  The 
Society  Was,  however^  kept  alive,  and  the  annual  meetings,  prescribed  by  the 
constitution,  were  regularly  held.  Messrs.  Tilghman,  of  Maryland,  Hubbard,  of 
Ohio,  French  and  Corcoran,  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  Frederick  Smyth,  of 
New  Hampshire,  and  Merryman,  of  Maryland,  were  successively  chosen  to  the 
office  of  President.  The  Secretary  was  annually  re-elected;  and  on  the  death  of 
the  Treasurer,  our  present  efficient  officer,  Dr.  Wm.  M.  French,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, now  a  sojourner  at  Washington,  was  chosen  as  the  successor. 

"In  1880  the  Honorable  John  Merryman,  of  Maryland,  w'as  elected  Presi- 
dent, and,  with  him,  an  earnest  Executive  Committee.  These  gentlemen  were 
alive  to  the  value  of  the  interests  confided  to  them;  and,  after  considering  the  sit- 
uation of  the  Society  in  its  various  bearings,  in  regard  to  its  future  usefulness,  its 


relations  to  tlic  Bureau  ol  Agriculture,  and  to  a  new  organisation  which  liad 
started  under  the  name  of  the  American  Agricultural  Association,  they  pro- 
pounded certain  questions  to  the  life  members  for  discussion  and  action  at  the  next 
annual  meeting.  Although  asked  for,  no  formal  vote  seems  to  have  been  after- 
wards taken.  One  of  the  questions  was  as  to  the  propriety  of  surrendering  the 
charter.  Of  this,  evidently,  there  was  no  desire.  As  to  the  other  two,  of  resum- 
ing active  operations,  and  the  feasibility  of  an  exhibition  in  conjunction  with  the 
new  oiganization,  steps  were  undoubtedly  taken  with  that  view.  Mr.  Merryman 
was,  in  1881,  re-elected  as  President.  Well-known  in  Maryland  and  many 
other  States  as  an  agriculturist  and  great  stock  grower,  he  had  been  chosen  Presi- 
dent of  the  Society  of  his  own  State,  and  also  President  of  the  recently  founded 
American  Agricultural  Association.  Of  this  latter  Association,  your  Secretary  had 
been  elected  as  its  Secretary.  Thus  the  question  of  1880  seemed  to  have,  in  the 
main,  resolved  themselves  by  the  skillful  management  of  Presid^^nt  Merryman, 
and  an  exhibition,  commensurate  with  the  undertaking,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
United  States  Agricultural  and  the  associate  societies,  was  to  be  held  in  the  Au- 
tumn of  1881  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  but  the  proposals  of  men  were  not  permit- 
ted to  be  accomplished.  The  death  of  Mr.  Merryman  before  any  preparations 
were  finally  made  for  the  fair  put  an  end  to  the  combination.  At  the  next  elec- 
tion of  officers  by  the  American  Agricultural  Association,  your  Secretary  was  not 
continued  as  its  Secretary. 

"At  the  annual  meeting  of  1882,  but  little  was  done  except  the  choice  of  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year.  The  propositions  developed  two  years  before,  and,  at  one 
time,  apparently  so  happily  disposed  of,  again  recur  in  their  full  force  for  the  con- 
sideration of  the  members,  and  are  worthy  of  very  serious  attention.  It  is  only 
with  the  co-operation  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and  the  State  and  county 
associations  that  success  may  be  insured.  I  invite  a  full,  an  earnest,  consideration 
of  the  best  method  of  promoting  the  usefulness  and  the  efliiciency  of  the  United 
States  Agricultural  Society." 

Such  is  the  admirable  resume  of  our  Secretary,  all  too  brief,  for  it  only  touches 
incidentally  upon  the  consummate  skill  and  energy  of  Mr.  Wilder  and  his  associ- 
ates in  developing  the  purposes  of  the  Society,  and  in  the  holding  of  many  suc- 
cessful fairs  in  different  sections  of  the  Union.  It  does  not  give  the  name  of  Cal- 
vert, of  Maryland,  who,  backed  by  the  persistent  efforts  of  a  strong  executive 
committee,  fina'ily  prevailed  in  urging  upon  the  attention  of  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States  the  necessity  of  a  Department  of  Agriculture,  although  that  De- 
partment, as  yet,  has  not  attained  the  full  strength  accorded  in  other  nations,  and 
such  as  was  ever  contemplated  by  Calvert,  and  those  acting  with  him.  It  does 
not  speak  of  the  land  grant  to  the  States  for  agricultural  colleges,  although  the 
incipient  steps  thereto  were  probably  taken  from  the  frequent  discussions  and  res- 
olutions in  relation  to  such  grant,  at  the  earlier  annual  meetings  of  this  Society. 
It  does  not  allude  to  other  subjects  of  equally  engrossing  and  national  interests 
which  were  brought  to  notice  and  public  attention,  and  which,  when  accom- 
plished, were  evidence  of  the  value  of  the  combined  and  intelligent  efforts  of  our 
predecessors.  With  such  a  history  of  the  position  of  the  United  States  Agricultu- 
ral Society  in  the  past;  with  the  valuable  charter  granted  by  the  National  Gov- 
ernment; with  its  past  and  present  roll  of  members  and  life  members,  composed 
of  so  many  of  the  best  citizens  and  leading  men  of  different  sections  of  the  Union; 
with  its  honorable  record  of  usefulness;  and,  without  a  dollar  of  indebtedness,  it 


8 

has  been  aptly  compared  to  a  line  of  battle-ship,  fully  equipped  and  officered  and 
ready  for  service — the  question  arises,  What  shall  that  service  be? 

Since  the  sword  was  happly  sheathed,  and  the  people  have  returned  to  their 
more  natural  and  peaceful  pursuits,  the  plowshare  cleaves  the  virgin  soil  of  our 
extensive  country  with  renewed  vigor,  and  the  generous  earth  yields  of  its  fresh- 
ness the  most  abundant  results.  The  immensity  of  production  year  by  year,  in- 
creases, and  the  volume  of  emigration  from  other  nations  to  the  Western  Conti- 
nent, to  assist  our  ever  enlarging  population  in  tilling  the  land  swells  so  vastly  that 
it  behooves  us  to  pursue  the  researches,  begun  by  our  founders,  as  the  best  meth- 
ods whereby  men  may  be  enabled  to  unfold  to  each  other  the  most  economical 
processes  for  getting  from  the  willing  earth  the  great  secrets  of  her  possession,  to 
ascertain  what  are  the  most  valuabie  crops  for  the  different  portions  of  our  great 
territory,  which  the  best  strains  of  stock  for  these  differing  sections,  what  the  most 
profitable  fertilizers  for  the  varying  soils  and  climates. 

These  are  live  questions  and  need  patient  and  combined  investigation.  Add  to  . 
these  the  diifusion  of  knowledge  in  relation  to  the  constantly  improving  quality  of 
implements  and  machines,  invented  by  American  ingenuity,  to  save  manual  labor, 
and  thus  to  increase  and  cheapen  the  necessaries  of  life  to  the  consumers.  When 
I  call  to  mind  the  rude  implements  and  husbandry  which  are  yet  in  use  in  the 
most  ancient  parts  of  Egjqit  and  Europe,  and  have  scarcely  varied  with  the  lapse 
of  centuries,  and  when  I  remember  such  as  were  formerly  used  even  here,  and 
compare  them  with  those  now  in  the  hands  of  our  farmers,  I  am  amazed  at  the 
■<vonderful  economical  progress,  gradual  at  first,  but  constantly  and  ever  develop- 
ing. Came  this  development  by  itself,  or,  by  the  yearly  rivalry,  as  displayed  in 
the  county,  state  and  national  exhibitions,  where  men  were  brought  together  to  see 
and  know  for  themselves  things  which  were  new  and  possible,  which  could  be 
adopted  to  general  use,  and  were  labor  saving,  time  saving,  and  often  temper  sav- 
ing and,  withal,  conducing  to  a  better  and  more  abundant  yield  of  the  land  ? 

Whilst  the  Old  World,  except  in  a  few  portions,  was  groping  along  in  the  ways 
of  olden  times,  thoughtless  of  the  elevation  of  its  laboring  clases,  the  wise  and 
philan  hropic  men  of  our  country  were  constantly  searching  by  more  improved 
implements  and  careful  management  to  assist  in  the  cultivation  of  the  land  and  the 
gathering  of  its  crops.  Such  were  among  the  purposes  of  the  originators  of  this 
society.  Having  in  their  several  States  perceived  the  advantages  resulting  from 
local  exhibitions,  they  thought  yet  greater  might  be  produced  by  making  a  soci- 
ety co-extensive  with  the  magitude  of  our  country,  and  by  cooperating  with  the 
State  societies,  as  well  as  with  local,  in  their  exhibitions.  Certainly  much  val- 
uable knowledge  was  distributed  wherever  these  conjoint  fairs  were  held,  and, 
though  some  difficulties  arose  in  the  joint  management  of  one  or  two  of  the  ex- 
hibitions, yet  it  is  believed  that  where  there  is  a  right  and  clear  understanding  in 
advance  between  the  respective  parties,  and  where  the  invitation  proceeds  freely 
from  a  State  society  to  cooperate,  we  maj'^  again  resume  active  operations 
to  the  advantage  of  the  farming  interests  of  that  State  and  of  the  adjacent 
sections. 

The  sudden  death  of  the  Hon.  John  Merryman,  our  then  President,  and  equally 
the  President  of  the  Maryland  State  Agricultural  Societj^  prevented  the  holding 
of  a  joint  exhibition  at  Baltimore,  in  1881,  under  the  auspices  of  the  two  societies. 
Since  then  an  exhibition  has  been  proposed  to  be  held  at  Washington,  but  it  is  a 
serious  question  whether  such  can  be  held  with  any  great  resulting  benefits,  ex- 


cept  in  the  populous  and  vast  agricultural  sections  of  the  nation.  In  such  sec- 
tions, I  doubt  not,  by  the  massing  together  of  multitudes  of  farmers  and  stock 
raisers,  bringing  with  them  their  respective  products  and  adding  thereto  a  display 
of  the  implements,  machines,  and  mechanical  manufactures  from  all  parts,  marked 
results  would  be  obtained  for  the  betterment  of  the  people  and  the  national  wealth. 

I  would,  therefore,  suggest  that  among  other  things  we  should  consider  the  pro- 
priety of  again  inviting  co-operation  between  State  associations  and  the  United 
States  A^gricultural  Society  as  a  means  of  entering  upon  and  renewing  active  work, 
such  as  was  had  in  the  past.  Certainly  agriculture  with  its  subordinate  pursuits 
affords  every  American  citizen  an  opportunity  of  gratifying  his  especial  tastes. 
Some  prefer  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  some  the  breeding  and  improving  of  stock, 
while,  for  others,  forestry  is  a  pastime.  The  daily  pursuits  of  agricultural  labor, 
under  the  guidance  of  an  obseiwing  eye  and  a  reasoning  mind,  are  converted  into 
a  series  of  exuerimentj,  establishing  results  of  high  importance.  By  having,  as  a 
central  reservoir,  a  national  agricultural  society,  the  results  of  these  investigations 
can  be  received  and  diffused  all  over  the  land,  and  the  action  and  reaction  of  the- 
ory and  practice  will  strike  out  still  more  extensive  good.  So  we  may  obtain  an- 
other feature  of  usefulness  in  offering  and  awarding  premiums  for  essays,  either 
by  the  society  directly  or  in  conjunction  with  State  societies. 

An  experimental  farm  was  early  thought  of  and  proposed,  but  large  funds  Would 
have  been  needed,  and  indeed  were  asked  for  from  Congress,  as  the  working  of 
such  a  scheme  was  felt  to  be  beyond  private  resources,  but  ihe  creation  of  the  na- 
tional department  and  the  energetic  action  of  several  of  the  States  in  that  direc- 
tion  have  relieved  the  Society  from  such  an  undertaking.  I  only  now  allude  to 
the  subject  to  vindicate  the  breadth  of  views  of  our  predecessors.  After  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Society  generous  donations  were  made  by  liberal  men  of  wealth, 
and  especially  from  Boston,  so  that  during  the  first  ten  years  the  treasury  was  al- 
ways in  possession  of  a  comfortable  balance,  resulting  from  donations,  annual 
and  life  member  subscriptions,  and  surplus  from  exhibitions.  Our  officers  never 
received  salaries  beyond  their  disbursements  for  personal  expenses,  and  of  late 
years  I  fear  that  our  Secretary  has  not  always  been  supplied  with  the  funds  re- 
quired for  printing,  postage,  stationery,  and  advertising,  all  of  which  were, 
and  continue  to  be,  so  necessary  for  the  operations  of  the  Society. 

If  we  propose  to  resume  active  work,  either  by  exhibitions  or  by  awarding  pre- 
miums for  essays,  or  even  to  be  ordinarily  just  to  our  able  and  faithful  Secretar}^ 
we  ought  to  take  some  measures  toward  increasing  the  number  of  members  of  the 
Society,  or  of  devising  some  other  mode  by  which  we  can  keep  our  honor  in  its 
present  untarnished  condition  of  defraying  annual  expenses  and  of  being  without 
a  debt. 

I  have  thus,  as  desired,  drawn  an  outline  of  the  past,  the  present,  and  of  the 
possible  future  of  a  society,  the  existence  of  which  spans  over  the  full  measure  of 
a  generation  of  men.  I  have  adverted  to  the  fertility  of  the  virgin  soil  and  its 
generous  returns,  but  have  not  had  time  to  speak  rightly  of  the  necessitj'  of  pre- 
paring our  farmers  to  study  the  quality  of  fertilizers  or  modes  of  cultivation  which 
hereafter  may  be  required  to  assist  our  impoveiished  land.  Boundless  now,  ap- 
parently, are  our  resources,  and  almost  as  boundless  the  yet  uncultivated  terri- 
tory. Not  in  our  day,  perhaps,  will  the  strain  be  felt,  but  with  the  advancing 
mj'riads  from  abroad,  seeking  in  our  midst  the  fruition  of  plenty  and  of  libert3% 
and  with  the  enormous  exportations  of  food  demanded  by  the  people  of  the  Old 


10 

World  from  our  great  storehouses  and  granaries,  and  witli  our  own  population, 
ever  on  the  increase,  the  day  must  come  when  the  mere  upturning  of  the  earth 
will  not  suffice.  Nature  must  he  assisted,  and  partial  exhaustion  must  he  enli- 
vened. 

Is  it  not,  then,  another  of  the  great  duties  of  this  Society  to  study  out  this  great 
prohlem;  and  as  we  have  received  from  the  wise  founders  of  the  past  generation 
broad  and  enduring  blessings  as  the  result  of  their  forecast  and  eftbrts  in  behalf  of 
agriculture,  so  let  us,  by  patient  investigations,  seek  to  transmit  to  the  future  such 
Avelldevised  processes  as  may  tend  to  restore  to  the  land  some  of  the  richness  of 
Avhich  it  is  now  so  lavishly  despoiled  by  imperfect  and  careless  tillage.  Looking 
to  tliat  end,  and  for  the  furtherance  of  the  various  purposes  of  the  Society,  full  and 
intelligent  discussions  upon  this  and  other  great  economic  questions  may  be  had 
at  our  annual  meetings  or  in  conjunction  with  the  conventions  like  unto  this  pres- 
ent one,  which  may  be  brought  together  by  the  Honorable  the  United  States 
Commissioners  of  Agriculture;  for  it  is  only,  perhaps,  with  the  co-operation  of 
the  Department  of  Agriculture,  and  with  the  State  and  county  associations,  that 
the  success  of  our  Society  in  the  future  may  be  insured. 

In  submitting  the  foregoing,  and  desiring  to  express  thanks  for  the  honor  of 
having  been  again  returned  as  your  president,  I  would  invite  a  full  and  earnest 
consideration  of  the  best  method  of  promoting  the  usefulness  and  the  efficieucj^  of 
the  United  States  Agricultural  Society. 

At  the  close  of  President  King's  address,  tliere  was  an  informal 
discussion  among  the  gentlemen  present  on  the  best  way  to  increase 
the  usefulness  of  the  society,  and  then,  on  motion  of  Col  T.  A.  Hol- 
ison,  of  Tennessee,  the  meeting  was  adjourned,  isme  die. 


THIRTY-SECOND  ANNUAL  MEETING. 

The  United  States  Agricultural  Society  will  hold  its  thirty-second 
annual  meeting  at  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  in  Washington 
City,  on  Wednesday,  January  9,  1884,  at  ten  o'clock,  a.  m.,  when 
the  election  of  officers  will  be  held,  and  the  other  business  required 
by  the  constitution  will  be  transacted. 

Officers  and  Members  of  the  Society  are  respectfully  notified  to 
attend  ;  and  a  cordial  invitation  is  extended  to  State  and  other  Agri- 
cultural Associations  to  send  delegates,  that  there  may  be  a  general 
representation  of  agriculturists  "  in  Congress  assembled  "  to  protect 
and  sustain  their  interests,  acting  as  a  national  organization  on  such 
matters  pertaining  to  agriculture  as  may  be  deemed  appropriate. 

Gentlemen  who  wish  to  become  Life  Members  of  the  Society  can 
do  so  by  remitting  ten  dolhirs  to  the  Treasurer,  Wm.  M.  French,  Esq., 
Washington  City.  This  will  entitle  them  without  any  further  pay- 
ments, to  the  full  privileges  of  Life  Membership,  including  free  ad- 
mission to  all  exhibitions  of  the  society,  the  published  transactions, 
and  a  large  and  elegant  diploma.  The  fee  for  annual  membership 
is  two  dollars, 

JOHN  A.  KING,  President. 

Ben  :  Perley  Poore,  Secretary. 


